To whom it may concern: Sorry your son/daughter (check one) died in Iraq

[Lefty48197]

That may be how the families of America's Iraqi War casualties felt when they received their Letters of Condolence from Secretary of War, Donald Rumsfeld.
Instead of receiving personalized letters that were hand-signed by Rumsfeld or Bush Jr., they were instead, signed by an "auto-pen", a device used by people who send out hundreds of signed items on a daily basis. With approximately 1000 war dead in nearly two years, there have averaged about 1.5 deaths among American soldiers per day.
Nobody could find the time to personalize the letters with an ACTUAL signature...


http://www.military.com/Opinions/0,,Hackworth_112304,00.html

I then went to about a dozen next-of-kin of American soldiers KIA in Iraq. Most agreed with the colonels' accusations and said they'd noticed and been insulted by the machine-driven signature. One father bitterly commented that he thought it was a shame that the SecDef could keep his squash schedule but not find the time to sign his dead son's letter. Several also felt compelled to tell me that the letter they received from George Bush also looked as though it was not signed personally by the president.

Dr. Ted Smith, whose son Eric was among the first 100 killed in Iraq, notes that the letter he received "from the commander in chief was signed with a thick, green marking pen. I thought it was stamped then and do even now. He had time for golf and the ranch but not enough to sign a decent signature with a pen for his beloved hero soldiers. I was going to send the letter back but did not. I am sorry I didn't."

Sue Niederer, whose son Seth was also killed in Iraq, sums it up: "My son wasn't a person to these people, he was just an entity to play their war game. But where are their children? Not one of them knows how any of us feel, and they obviously aren't interested in finding out. None of them cares. And Rumsfeld depersonalizing his signature - it's a slap in the face, don't you think?"

[tavalon]

1. Tacky and yet,

pretty much standard operating procedure for this crew. After all, they are busy, important men and these troops aren't really human, just subhuman cannon fodder. Why should they personalize the letters or even consider a phone call or a visit, heaven forbid. (dripping with sarcasm but filled with the dark truth that they really do find themselves to be superhuman elite and the rest of us to be subhuman cannon fodder)

[rebelskypirate]

3. Have met the SecDef(s) personally and....

I have met the current SecDef personally during one of his tours to the FOB(Forward Operating Base) I was at, and I can say that I found him personally likable. He took the time to shake hands and meet with all of us present, took questions, and was generally a nice guy. Too bad he was out of coins by the time he got to me, or I would have got a SecDef coin for my collection. I did NOT get the impression that he considered me to be "sub-human" or "cannon fodder", he addressed each of us by name or 1st name, asked us about our families, etc. In my career, I have met several service Secs (from the last 3 Presidents), plus SecDef Cohen (President Clinton's 2nd one), and found all to be very nice, personable, and VERY warm and open to the troops serving under them.

I understand that many here have VERY strong disagreements with SecDef Rumsfeld's policies, and that is certainly their right to do so, I am just related what I have seen 1st hand of the man.

As to the letters, I can certainly understand how families would be upset to receive a letter that was not hand signed. But then again, even if it was, what on earth could he say(or anyone) that would in any way make the loss of their family member easier? IMO, these letters to the family should be written by the member's CO, the person who was there with them and knows best what to say vs someone thousands of miles away who doesn't know them.

BTW, are you a vet?

thanks, and have a great holiday!

[Lefty48197]

4. These people are looking for solace.

"As to the letters, I can certainly understand how families would be upset to receive a letter that was not hand signed. But then again, even if it was, what on earth could he say(or anyone) that would in any way make the loss of their family member easier?"

Sincerely, SkyPirate, I don't think the families are actually looking for personal letters From the President or Secretary that will lessen the pain of their loss. Like you said, it probably would be a nice gesture if the CO hand wrote a nice letter.
From President Bush, or Secretary Rumsfeld, I think the families are looking for a sign that somebody of great importance sat down, if only for a brief moment, and thought about their loved one, and the great pain that the loss has caused. I think the families want the President and Secretary Rumsfeld to share in their loss, and their pain, again - if only for one short moment. I think they would feel honored.
With the auto-pen signatures, they can't help but wonder if Bush or Rumsfeld spared even a brief thought for their loved one.

[rebelskypirate]

5. very well said

EOM

[hollowdweller]

2. They are all just a means to an end for those guys.